Why are the Katy Freeway lights on 24/7? We solved the mystery
Drivers along Houston’s Katy Freeway have been puzzled by a peculiar sight: high-mast streetlights burning bright in broad daylight.
Drivers along Houston’s Katy Freeway have been puzzled by a peculiar sight: high-mast streetlights burning bright in broad daylight.
The mystery caught the attention of Emanuel Stamatakis, who embarked on a months-long quest for answers.
“I was driving down I-10 and I look up and I see these lights that are on in the middle of the day,” Stamatakis said, pointing out multiple light poles illuminated despite the sunshine. “I mean it’s wasteful as far as taxpayer dollars.”
The Technical Explanation
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) told KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding that the around-the-clock illumination is due to an ongoing “burn test” of newly installed LED lighting along the freeway from Interstate 45 to State Highway 6.
“The high-mast lighting has recently been retrofitted with LED lighting, which required a ‘burn test’ period to ensure they are functioning properly,” explained Leo Flores, TxDOT Houston District Public Information Officer.
However, what should have been a routine testing period has been extended due to an unexpected incident.
A vehicle crashed into a crucial service pole that houses the automated control system for the lights, according to TxDOT.
Who’s Responsible For The Lights?
The situation involves multiple agencies.
While the state owns the lights, the City of Houston handles their maintenance, according to Houston Public Works.
Under normal circumstances, the lighting system uses photocells to automatically activate the lights at sunset. It’s the same kind of technology that your dawn-to-dusk at home use.
“Lighting is hardwired in to be on constantly until repairs can be completed by TxDOT’s contractor,” a Houston Public Works spokesperson explained. “The contractor is waiting for delivery of all parts before conducting repairs.”
The Search for Solutions
Before the cause was identified, Stamatakis attempted to resolve the issue through multiple channels.
His initial call to City of Houston ended with promises, but the lights stayed on.
Then he called CenterPoint Energy. A call-taker there offering an impractical suggestion to document each pole’s identification number manually.
“She said the only way we can do something with the light fixture is if you go to the individual light pole,” Stamatakis recalled, highlighting the absurdity of the request given the freeway’s location and traffic.
What’s Next?
TxDOT engineers will need to sign off on the work once the burn test confirms proper functionality of the new LED system.
The agency has not provided a specific timeline for when the automatic control system will be repaired and restored to normal operation, but the lights will return to normal operating hours once the work is complete.
For now, as Stamatakis is still counting, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,” lights visible as he travels down the highway.
